A prominent senator is urging President Donald Trump to reconsider his plan to cut funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, advocating for the United States to maintain its position as a global leader in weather forecasting.
Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat representing Washington and serving as the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is urging the administration to collaborate with Congress on bipartisan investments. She detailed her proposals in a letter sent to Trump on Monday.
The letter outlines five key recommendations aimed at enhancing the weather forecasting infrastructure in the United States, including the need for increased data collection and the modernisation of alert systems.
A letter has been issued following the catastrophic flash floods that struck Texas on the night of July 4, resulting in the loss of over 130 lives. The timing of this decision coincides with the Trump administration’s reduction of staffing at the National Weather Service, alongside proposals for further substantial cuts, including the elimination of NOAA’s research division and the closure of its numerous research centres. The contributions of these labs play a crucial role in enhancing forecasts, advancing technology, and improving warning systems.
The budget proposal from the Trump administration aims to reduce the NOAA budget by approximately $1.7 billion, representing a significant 27% decrease from current funding levels.
Cantwell refrains from opposing the cuts outlined in the letter, instead proposing an investment strategy that aligns with the administration’s ambition to restore America’s status as a leading nation across various sectors.
“We have a unique chance to develop the most advanced weather forecasting system, offering Americans significantly more detailed and tailored alerts days in advance of impending extreme weather events,” Cantwell stated.
The letter notably lacks any mention of climate change and its connection to extreme weather events. The administration has implemented a series of measures aimed at reversing climate regulations and limiting climate science research across various agencies.
White House spokesman Kush Desai addressed the media, stating, “We thank the senator for her input, but the Trump administration has already been hard at work on re-orienting NOAA and NWS away from pursuing climate change activism to instead focus on its core mission and modernising the agencies’ outdated technology to provide faster, more accurate weather models.”
The recent floods in Texas have sparked concerns regarding the National Weather Service’s preparedness for extreme weather events, particularly following recent staff reductions. The agency is in a race against time to recruit approximately 150 forecasters to address significant vacancies created by layoffs, early retirements, and various incentives offered by the Trump administration to encourage departures from government roles. Despite the addition of 150 new hires, who will require training time, the National Weather Service will remain understaffed compared to its level at the beginning of the Trump administration.
The correspondence advocates for the advancement of next-generation weather satellites, radars, and new hurricane hunter aircraft to succeed the outdated fleet. It also emphasises the need for enhanced computing capabilities not only to match but ultimately surpass the superior accuracy of European forecast centres.
The focus is also on modernising weather alert systems, a crucial issue following the recent disaster in Texas. Significantly, it advocates for increased funding, rather than a reduction, for both “basic and applied research.”
Cantwell aligns with her colleagues across the political spectrum on the Senate Commerce Committee, as they dismissed the majority of the administration’s suggested reductions in an early fiscal year 2026 spending bill. House appropriators mirrored this action, while the Trump administration has indicated it may explore alternative methods to limit funding for agencies like NOAA.
“The United States deserves a top-tier weather system.” What is the reason for this hesitation? Cantwell addressed the media this morning.
